POLITICS & POLICY

From Morrison Securities Pty Ltd. U.S. stocks turned mostly higher Thursday, with the S&P 500 extending gains into a third day, as an improving labor market helped curtail concern about Europe's debt troubles.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) has suspended to the second half of 2012 a planned implementation of new, tougher criteria for commercial lenders.

Australia is suffering a soft-drink shortage, at the most inappropriate time of the year when one needs to quench thirst to battle the summer heat wave.

A solitary sentry wearing a world-shattering war garb was standing outside Michael Bachmann's depressing caucus party held at the West Des Moines Marriott last night while watching the tragedy.

A different surprise welcomed the New Year in Tokyo. An earthquake that has a magnitude of 7.0 shuddered people's holiday celebration on Jan. 1.

The Australian sharemarket gave back part of its weekly gains today with all sectors ending the session in the red. The All Ordinaries index (XAO) slumped by 1 pct or 42.9 pts to 4196.6. It is important to remember however that shares rose by over 3 pct over the first two trading days of the week (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Three coal projects of India's state-owned coal company Coal India Ltd. (CIL) have been recommended for environmental clearance, a much welcomed good news after the company slashed its output target for fiscal year 2012.

Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann announced Wednesday she has concluded her US presidential campaign, becoming the first Republican candidate to leave the race after failing to see favorable results in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

The U.K. may become the world's third-biggest importer and consumer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), after Britain surpassed the import statistics of Spain in 2010, a U.S.-based gas consultant on Wednesday said

The continuing global interest in Zambia's natural resources, particularly copper, which have led to increased investments in its mining sector, have prompted the Chamber of Mines of Zambia (CMZ) to forecast copper production capacity to hit 1.6 million tonnes per annum by 2016.

Raw coal production from China jumped 4.4 per cent in November from a year ago, giving a total of 321 million tonnes. With this, the country's overall coal output from January to November 2011 reached 3.46 billion tonnes, a hike of 11.6 per cent from the same period of 2010.

Iran has reiterated on Wednesday that the United States will face the full might of its military forces if the latter insists on staying in the Persian Gulf region.

Yesterday, The Australian share market managed to improve for the second consecutive day with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) up 2.2 pct or 90.6 pts to 4245.8. But, overnight bank debt concerns in Europe, weak industrial metal prices and low trading in the U.S. held markets back. Causing the Australian markets to open lower, down 30 points.

Continued manic concerns over the maddening plight of financial crisis hitting the Euro zone have led copper futures, yet again, to tumble more than 3 percent on Wednesday.

Tankers hauling liquefied natural gas (LNG) ought to brace themselves not only for a busy operational turnover scheduling of transporting the chilled gas from supplier to client's port, but also for increased profits as global demand has been forecast to grow to an all-time high.

Growth of Australia's services sector has remained subdued in December with business services posting headwinds ahead of the consumer-related services offered by local firms in December, according to the latest survery conducted by the country's Australian Industry Group and the Commonwealth Bank.

MORNING REPORT(8.00am AEDT) -- US Market close US factory orders rose by 1.8pct in November, driven by aircraft and transportation orders. New orders excluding transportation rose by a more modest 0.3pct. Durable goods orders rose by 3.7pct.

From Morrison Securities Pty. Ltd: U.S. stocks fluctuated between slim gains and declines Wednesday after rallying sharply in the previous session, as encouraging results from auto makers helped offset concerns about the Euro zone.

Activity in India's services sector rose at its fastest pace in five months in December, data from a survey by Markit Economics and HSBC Bank showed Wednesday.Based on a survey of around 400 firms, the HSBC Markit Business Activity Index grew 54.2 in December from 53.2 in November, staying above the borderline 50 mark which separates growth from contraction. It was India's second consecutive monthly growth for its services sector.

Barely a week into the new year and yet China is already bracing itself for a difficult first quarter 2012 on weakening exports, no thanks to the continuing mad financial crisis affecting its major export market, the Euro zone.

China's second-largest oil company, China Petrochemical Corp., otherwise known as Sinopec Group, has entered a purchase deal with Devon Energy Corp. to acquire a one-third stake in five Devon exploratory oil projects in the U.S. for $900 million.

Residents and business owners in Hunter Valley reiterated its call for the New South Wales (NSW) government to ring fence the region from coal seam gas (CSG) exploration and production.

In what seems to be a testament of the global pandemonium for supply of rare earths, American rare earths producer Molycorp, Inc. on Tuesday reported it had entered into customer supply agreements representing 78 per cent of expected output from the Phase 1 expansion works at its Mountain Pass, California rare earth mine and oxide manufacturing facility.

The Australian government urged Fiji's military rulers on Tuesday to restore democracy in the island republic, a day after the country's leader, Voreqe Bainimarama, announced immediate plans of reforms after seizing power in 2006.

Fresh reports of boat refugees intercepted anew by Australian authorities on Monday prompted new calls from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for Prime Minister Julia Gillard to finally adjust her immigration policy.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke has called on current Australian Labor Party leaders to steer through the modernisation of the party and implement reforms that would secure its existence in the years ahead.

Gold futures advanced a tad higher on Wednesday, by far its best level in little over a week, on a weakening US dollar and Iran's pronouncement of its progress in its nuclear program.As of 0015 GMT, spot gold inched 0.2 per cent to $1,606.09 an ounce, its biggest daily gain in more than two months.

Yesterday, The Australian Stock market ended higher, All Ordinaries index (XAO) gaining 1.1 pct or 44.2 pts to 4155.2. The market started off stronger this morning up 1.2pct at the open of trade.

CNN - North Korea advised its people to demonstrate loyalty to the death for the new leader Kim Jong Un.